Astroturf

The Sales Power of In-Store Performances

This is not your everyday Billboard chart. Each week, we'll tell you which bands are selling in the fine record shops in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, where we consumers of music have impeccable taste. CD Source owner, Lance Price, saw a combination of new releases and classic albums creep towar ... More >>

The Benefit of In-Store Performances in Cold, Hard, Record Sales Numbers

This is not your everyday Billboard chart. Each week, we'll tell you which bands are selling in the fine record shops in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, where we consumers of music have impeccable taste. Local performer, Wayne Hancock recently released his new album Ride and reaches top ten in sal ... More >>

How the Bastards Win: A Greedy Lying Bastards Review

The 30 Essential Texas Restaurants: Plus Some That Nearly Made It

If you've read this week's feature -- The 30 Essential Texas Restaurants to Visit Before You Die -- by food critic Katharine Shilcutt at our sister paper the Houston Press, then you've no doubt already asked why X, Y or Z restaurant didn't make the list. Maybe you've asked this question angrily to ... More >>

Here are the Winners of the 2012 Dallas Observer Music Awards

Tried and True, the New Spot to Replace Neighborhood Services Tavern, is Open

Nick Badovinus, the man behind the Neighborhood Services restaurant group, has opened a new restaurant and bar, Tried and True (2405 N. Henderson Ave.). The restaurant has taken over the location that previously housed Neighborhood Services Tavern, and while the space hasn't changed much architectur ... More >>

PVC Street Gang, Curvette at Good Records

Thursday, September 13, at Good Records

Sean Peyton is Coaching His Son's Football Team in Argyle, and It's Dominating

Sean Payton is cooling his heels at his home in Westlake while he takes an NFL-mandated break from coaching the New Orleans Saints, but as Deadspin notes, he's not banned from all football. In an interview last week, Payton, suspended for the year for his role in the NFL's latest morality play, tol ... More >>

The 15th Anniversary of The Old 97's Too Far to Care and Rhett Miller's Solo Album: Does Anyone Still Care?

Fifteen years ago this month, the Old 97's released their major label debut, Too Far to Care. Last week, frontman Rhett Miller released his latest solo record, The Dreamer. Darryl Smyers and Eric Grubbs sat down and talked about the legacy of Too Far to Care, and whether or not it's a bigger deal th ... More >>

Record Store Day Roundup: How and Where To Celebrate Music's Greatest National Holiday

Good RecordsIt's hard to beat Good Records' yearly Record Store Day celebration. They always manage to put a solid lineup together, but this one trumps any from years past. Thanks to Sunday's Edgefest, Good's Chris Penn was able to procure performance slots for Ting Tings, Civil Twilight and Switchf ... More >>

And the Winners Are ... You

Our 23rd annual Dallas Observer Music Awards showcase a scene ready for the spotlight.

Happy PARK(ing) Day, Dallas!

Photo by Danny HurleyNoodling around: One of many photos from PARK(ing) Day Dallas, with a slide show to come.​We briefed you earlier about PARK(ing) Day Dallas, which organizer Noah Jeppson told us was supposed to help Dallasites and visitors "rethink the function of our public spaces ... and hav ... More >>

Giveaway: A Free Copy of Seryn's Debut Album on Both CD and Limited Edition White Vinyl

It's already been a heck of a year for Denton's Seryn. Right around the turn of the calendar year, after numerous delays, the band finally got around to releasing their anticipated debut record, This Is Where We Are. And the sprawling, uplifting affair, the disc proved well worth the wait, deserved ... More >>

A Piece of the Record Pie

A Store-by-store Breakdown of this Year's Record Store Day Events Around Town

Jason Lytle, Midlake, Sarah Jaffe and True Widow Among Acts Playing Good Records' National Record Store Day Party on April 16

Sara KerensA scene from last year's affair. Get nostalgic and check out our slideshow of the event.​Maybe the best free event you'll attend all year, the annual joint celebration that Good Records throws for both Record Store Day and the store's birthday always makes for quite the happening shindi ... More >>

Let's Get This Real Tea Party Started

​Guess what. Maybe it has started. The great gray horse may be rising to her feet at last. Maybe the sane middle class of America isn't dead in its tracks after all. I have a column in this week's paper talking about a real Tea Party movement in the UK -- not a fake AstroTurf thing like the A ... More >>

In Case You're Thinking About Going to the NFL Experience at the Convention Center ...

Photos by Sam MertenI just saved you $25. You're welcome.​I'm not exactly sure what I expected when I chose to join other media folks this afternoon at the Dallas Convention Center for a tour of the NFL Experience, but let's just say I felt cheated even though I hadn't spent a dime. Promoted a ... More >>

Lay's Traveling Greenhouse Lets You Get Up Close with Real, Live Plants

The King considers a potato plant first-hand.Flickr user Diane Bondareff​We all know how hard it is to remember what it's like to be up-close in a room with plants, so Dallas-based Frito-Lay's doing us a solid this summer, along with lucky folks in five other cities, trucking around a 70-foot mobi ... More >>

Convention Center Hotel Referendum Turns One, And, Aw, Lookie, Ain't It Cute?

Photos by Sam MertenConstruction crews are working on the 12th of what will ultimately be 23 floors.​One year after Mayor Tom Leppert and the pro hotel'ers narrow victory at the polls over Harlan Crow and the anti-hotel folks, the Dallas Omni Convention Center Hotel is approximately half its h ... More >>

Picture Show: Celebrating National Record Store Day at Good Records

Sara KerensDoug Burr, live from the AstroTurf.​Three things present at Record Store Day at Good Records--beards, BBQ and a despondent. chicken-suited man. On this rainy Saturday afternoon in the Good Records parking lot, the National Record Store Day mood was calm, for the most part. Not much ... More >>

National Record Store Day Celebrations

Saturday, April 17, at Good Records and Bill's Records

At the Dallas VA Medical Center, Harnessing the Awesome Power of the Roof

Looks like they missed a few spots, but with a little AstroTurf, you'll never know the difference.​With all arms of the government digging around for ways to green up their operations, the Dallas VA Medical Center is jumping into the renewable energy pool feet-first, capitalizing on one of its gre ... More >>

Kiss His Grass: No Matter What City Says, Jose Escobedo Ain't About to Rip Up His Fake Lawn

​For now, at least, this final item about Jose Escobedo and his fake lawn, which the Landmark Commission wants yanked up pronto since it's not "appropriate" for a historic district. But, a warning: There will be a follow-up eventually: Escobedo says he'll appeal Landmark's ruling to the City Plan ... More >>

Turf War: In Junius Heights, a Man With a Fake Lawn Creates Real Problem at City Hall

View Larger MapJust returned from Dallas City Hall, where, in just a few, the Landmark Commission will meet to formally discuss all the items you'll find listed here. Sadly, we won't get to see the Statler shroud: Mark Doty, the city's historic district planner, told the commissioners that AIA Dalla ... More >>

Last Night in Washington, Republicans Needed More than "Candlesticks" from Joe Barton

Patrick MichelsRep. Joe Barton, doing his best La RussaWASHINGTON, D.C. -- With Arlington's own Rep. Joe Barton at the helm last night, the Republicans suffered a tough defeat in Washington, out-fielded and out-hit 15-10 by Democrats in the annual Congressional Baseball Game.Barton, a 22-year vetera ... More >>

In Which We Don't Interview Kevin Costner

Texas Stadium Deserved a Fonder Farewell Than This

Stage Trash

See The Great American Trailer Park Musical

The Fruit Bats

Spelled in Bones (Sub Pop)

Best Rock Club

Double Wide

Capsule Reviews

Our critics survey the local art scene

E-I-E-I-whoa

Betsy Odom's Barnyard is a surreal romp on the old farm

Rack 'Em Up

Tournament raises some scratch for charity

True Disbelievers

Deeper Life ministry says it saves homeless people from drugs and sin. Some ex-members say the church takes advantage of those who need help most.

Head Aik

Hey, the mob's right: Troy is woozy and washed up--let's bring back Steve Pelluer!

Night & Day

April 16 - 22, 1998

Tummy trouble

A Chef in Love induces arthouse indigestion

Goofy golf

Out among the fiberglass elephants, Putt-Putt pro Jeffery Smith searches for his zone

Revenge of the bourgeoisie

DTC's ambitious Sternheim Project roasts the rise of the middle class

The Devil and Mr. Newman

America's greatest songwriter descends to hell and aspires to heaven in Faust

Secret of success

Cremona defies the odds

Out to pasture

The Hungry Jockey--a North Dallas institution--fades in the stretch